A Sabra Kauka of Kaua'i, left, her mother, Sarah Kauka of Wai'anae, Aloha Kekipi of Wahiawa and Nalani Kahoano Gersaba of Kalihi bow their heads in prayer. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

But participants in the "Living Nation" march, marking the 110th anniversary of the day Hawai'i's monarchy was overthrown, say the real story of the week-long observance is happening not at today's march, not at the torchlight procession planned for tonight. It's happening behind the scenes, at meetings where leaders of the long-splintered sovereignty groups have committed to a common goal.

Unification.

"Nationhood is coming soon!" said Keoni Agard, a longtime sovereignty activist who paused to talk as the marchers circled the palace. He has been affiliated with various groups, including one delegation that two years ago formed to develop a Hawaiian national constitution, but that didn't seem to matter today.

"It's beginning to become irrelevant," Agard said. "When it all shakes out, we need to respect each other. Now we need to be smart. It's not a matter of who's better or who's been in the movement longer... unless we unite under one umbrella, we will perish."

Already a range of supporters stood beneath the umbrella of the "Living Nation" march. A man wearing both the kihei (the traditional mantle knotted at one shoulder) and a yarmulke. A group of Native Americans, carrying the banner for the International Indian Treaty Council, beating a drum, the group wreathed in sweet-smelling ceremonial burning sage.

The moral support notwithstanding, the Native American model of sovereignty is not necessarily right for Hawaiians, said Kai'opua Fyfe, who came with a group of fellow Kaua'i residents for the observance.

"If nothing else, we can communicate to our legislators that they need to knock the sides out of the Akaka-bill box and create something that will work for us," Fyfe said. "Take it out of the Department of Interior; it should come out from (Bureau of ) Indian Affairs."

Native Hawaiians and supporters march through downtown Honolulu toward 'Iolani Palace in an event commemorating the 110th anniversary of the monarchy overthrow. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

But the main purpose of "Living Nation" is not to dwell on technical details, he added.

"We should recognize that we already are a nation, if you define nation as people who share a language and culture," he said. "The one thing missing is a governing entity.

"The most important thing is unity," Fyfe added. "There is power in numbers... we have jumped forward into the details, without taking care of the basics."

The group paused at the black-draped balustrades fronting the palace, chanting the now familiar "I Ku Mau Mau" call for unity before proceeding through the gate.

Outside, by the canopy where an 110-hour vigil is being kept, Kuhio Vogeler pointed out historic books set out for public perusal: a compilation of Hawaiian kingdom law, a volume of signatures on the petition opposing Hawaiian annexation to the U.S.

The high point of the week for him was to see a large group of sovereignty meetings hold meetings of reconciliation. With Friends of 'Iolani Palace permission, Vogeler said, one was held last night in the throne room of the palace.

"There's a way to work toward a common goal," he said.